Over the years my reading habits have changed and I no longer reach for historical fiction as much since my brain can't seem to follow along with all of the variety of characters. I do no feel like I can give a fair review for this book because of this so I am just going to move it onto my "in the future when life slows down" tbr.

The Gold in These Hills was a moving story. It is written with dual timeline stories - Juniper (set in the 1900s) and Johnny (current day). I really enjoyed both timelines.

The book had quite a bit of heartbreaking moments, but was also sweet and had a good message. I do wish, however, that the ending would have had a bit more closure with one of the stories.

All in all, The Gold in These Hills was a great read and I recommend it to fans of the genre.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Gold in These Hills is a beautiful look at understanding the past, its relevance, and its ties to now. Author Joanne Bischof does contemporary and historical stories so well, it is not surprising she writes a split time narrative with equally compelling storylines — and a bit of romance to satisfy my reader heart. The historical one is beautiful in and of itself, with Juniper its complex and endearing protagonist, but Johnny’s present day story amplifies the timeless experience of grief, resilience, and restoration — all concepts Juniper and Johnny both encounter in their own time. I particularly love the way Johnny’s perspective emphasizes the importance of honoring the past and hoping in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ebook copy. I voluntarily purchased an audiobook copy for my own collection. This is my honest review.

Due to a personal difference in beliefs (WITH THE PUBLISHER) I will not be reviewing this book outside of Netgalley nor do I plan to support Thomas Nelson in the future due to their decisions of late and the lack of fiction with good Biblical values.

This does not mean I do or do not like the book, it just means I will not be reviewing books for this publisher anymore as I do not care to support them when I do not agree with the way they have left their former standards.

RATING: 2 STARS
2021; Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins

I found the dual timeline a bit boring in both times, to be honest. Just as I would get used to one timeline and trying to get into it, it would change. I did finish it, but had to push myself as I did want to see if it got better. The cover was so pretty, and kind of wanted to justify me picking it out

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley/Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

What more can I say besides that this book has left me utterly speechless. How do you begin to find words to describe a story that has deeply touched your heart. Wow wow wown I have found a new favorite author in Bischof and will be flocking to any book by her that I can get my hands on after reading this. What incredibly beautiful writing and storytelling lays amidst these pages. Not to mention second-chance romance done at its finest! This book read like poetry and I simply could not put it down. I truly wished it could have been longer because I enjoyed it so very much.

Taking place in California in the early 1900’s to begin with and a modern day timeline as well, this story wove between the dual storylines flawlessly. I loved the many characters we come to meet on the pages, as they were all so well-developed and wonderful and really can’t pinpoint a favorite. One of the biggest highlight here for me was the faith aspect. The Christian theology was sound and instead of a fluffy faith as can often be portrayed in stories, that is not what you get here with these characters. Their faith is raw and real and reflects a walk with God that is genuine.

There is so much beauty that lies not only in the story but also in the lessons it teaches. This is a rich and moving story of hope and forgiveness that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy!

Joanne’s strong prose hooks readers from the first line: It’s paramount that my daughter and I survive the coming winter, yet ghost towns are not for the living. Epic, right? I loved that we’re in first person, my favorite narrative choice.

This split-time novel is unpredictable and inventive, elements I liked.

The historical heroine’s life is a challenge for survival, and she’s raising her daughter alone, suddenly, which raises the stakes.

One of the themes, as the MC (main character) fights with her community to keep her townspeople alive, is that of restoration. Some towns just die. Will hers?

We bounce back and forth between the past and the present. In the past we’re in the heroine’s POV, fighting to carry on. In the present, in a very strong male POV voice, we’re doing a bit of the same while restoring a farmhouse. He’s a contractor, who also must overcome and raise his children. Each MC is sympathetic and likable.

Another theme was that unknowns can paralyze us in place, but there can be treasures in the darkness. We have to go through the challenges to find those riches. The characters have to face the pain of love and loss, the deserts of life. There's a choice to hope, or not. Very relatable.

Unfortunately the story lost me near the end. I ended up skimming. Perhaps it was the season of the pandemic, but life was already heavy enough and I gave up on this story. I felt there was a lot of potential, but it didn’t play out the way I’d hoped.

Still, I wish the author and publisher all the best. I will definitely watch for more novels by this author as I've enjoyed her work in the past.

For some reason, something about this cover made me want to eat up this book. Sadly, the taste was very, <i>very</i> bad. Hands down the worst book I read this year.

It is lost letters trope wih dual storylines. However, there's no story in either of the storylines!

I will forget everything about this book by tomorrow, I promise you that. There is <u>nothing</u> that makes it special enough to stick for even a week.

Unfortunately, this book did not grab my attention. After about 40% into it, I did not finish it. The characters were interesting, but the story seemed to drag with detail and no sense of where the plot was headed. I may try it again one day because I know several who love it!

I loved this book immensely! Right after I finishd I was sick for a month back in August, so I never wrote an adequate review, for that I am sorry because this book is truly amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, & HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this dual timeline narrative and all the characters. The author's writing was highly evocative of the time she was writing about, and you could tell she had done a lot of research which is always appreciated. Will definitely be picking up more books by this author in the future!

I felt such a kinship with this book…and with the two intersecting stories about people I would love to be friends with. John and Juniper Cohen were hardworking settlers—John, a miner, and his mail order bride Juniper find a home in Kenworthy, a California boom town at the turn of the 20th century. Their friends, the other townspeople, their daughter, and their choices (good and bad, which seem to be a character on their own) and day to day trials and joys are full of forgiveness, trust, and moving beyond sorrow. Johnny Sutherland is on the brink of divorce and once a place to call home when he purchases the home that was once John and Juniper’s. While digging through old artifacts, Johnny ends up researching the history of his home and the folks who lived there. It is through learning about what came before him, and assisting a student with her project, that Johnny too learns to find light within the shadows of his personal valley to make his way to the other side, much like the Cohens of yesteryear did. Such a marvelous story of God’s goodness and grace.

This book was so full of emotions and struggles. But I loved these characters. Seeing their strength and determination. Their resiliency, hope and healing. It was just beautiful.

There are two timelines happening throughout the book, in the same location. A dying mining town for Juniper and a single home that used to be part of a gold mining town now a ghost town for Johnny.

I loved how Juniper's story was slowly discovered by Johnny. And the healing that it was able to help him with in his life. Not only Juniper's story but that of her friend who also lived in the dying town.

There are so many wonderful characters throughout this book. I loved them so much and all the different parts to the story that they represented and brought about.

This was my first book by this author but it will not be my last. Several of my friends have read her books and enjoyed them and I've eyed them for a long while. I'm so glad I finally dove in and read this one. Well worth it!

Content: Clean. Some mild peril. Divorce is a topic discussed as well. Nothing explicit. This is a Christian fiction novel but not overly strong with religious topics, more so just the characters thinking or occasionally praying in their minds/hearts.

I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson-fiction, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

This was a wonderful book. I really appreciated both timelines and the way that lessons from one informed the other. I wish more historical fiction was set during this timeframe. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This novel is an impressive work told from two timelines. The characters come across as solid and believable individuals. This is a story that I was lost in.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A mail-order bride arrives to find a kind and loving man named John. When the mine pans out John vanishes. She has to go on making a living for her daughter and face the fact that the town Kenworthy, California is most likely to close and her life will change once again. The story jumps to present day and young man who is struggling with his marriage ending decides to buy and restore a 100 year-old abandoned farmhouse in Kenworthy, California. When he finds some old letters addressed to John, he realizes the trials of life this woman went through would also touch his world. I requested a copy through NetGalley no review was required. My opinion and review are voluntary.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a well done historical novel. I enjoyed the two timelines and getting to know the characters in this story. I look forward to more from the author.

I adore Joanne Bischof and was excited to get my hands on her newest release, The Gold in These Hills. She has the most beautiful way of drawing me into a story and this one is no different. This is one of those reads, that will have tears in my eyes in one moment and then the warmth in my heart the next. I loved every single page. I highly recommend it! Five plus stars.

The Gold in These Hills by Joanne Bischof is a beautifully written, historical dual time-line story with settings in the early 1900s and present day. The descriptive writing style, original use of language, and imagery vividly paint a realistic portrait of life in both time settings. I enjoyed the historical aspects of the book as the author brings in interesting aspects of the gold mining industry. The characters are well-defined, well-rounded with attributes and flaws, and depicted with deep-set emotions as they learn to cope with the struggles...struggles that are challenging and opportunities for growth in the characters. The story is heart-wrenchingly sad at times, and yet, there is hope threaded throughout as well. I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. A favorable review was not required and the opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

A duel time line book set around a mining town or, more specifically, a cabin in a mining town. Hadn't realised this was a Christian book so a bit too heavy on the God/prayer thing for me but found the historical aspect, particularly the character of Edie entertaining.